That would be Marv Johnson, who recorded the very first Motown single, "Come To Me", in January 1959. As soon as the record looked like becoming a hit, his contract was sold to United Artists for a high price, providing Motown with financial stability in its very earliest days.
Michael Jackson was first signed to Motown Records as part of the Jackson Five in 1969. He was 11 years old at the time.
One notable black singing group that didn't achieve success with Motown Records in the 1960s was The Satintones. Formed in 1959, they were one of the first groups to sign with Motown, but despite their early promise and hits like "My Beloved," they struggled to find lasting fame. Their lack of commercial success led to their eventual disbandment, while other Motown acts soared to iconic status.
Kiki Dee
Motown
Berry Gordy - founder of MotownSmokey Robinson (and the Miracles) - first major group signed to Motown
Michael Jackson was first signed to Motown Records as part of the Jackson Five in 1969. He was 11 years old at the time.
One notable black singing group that didn't achieve success with Motown Records in the 1960s was The Satintones. Formed in 1959, they were one of the first groups to sign with Motown, but despite their early promise and hits like "My Beloved," they struggled to find lasting fame. Their lack of commercial success led to their eventual disbandment, while other Motown acts soared to iconic status.
Kiki Dee
Motown Records.
Motown
Berry Gordy - founder of MotownSmokey Robinson (and the Miracles) - first major group signed to Motown
Berry Gordy, Jr., established Motown Records
Michael Jackson was signed to Motown records during his days with The Jackson 5, the group left Motown and later signed with CBS who then became Epic Records. Epic left CBS and join Sony where Michael would call home until his untimely death in 2009. Epic and Sony also allowed Michael to create his own label know as MJJ Records. Michael's deal with was reported worth a billion dollars
Decca Records
Barry Gordy - founder and preseident of Motown Records.Marv Johnson, the first recording artist to record for Motown ("Come to Me," 1959) - released on United Artists.Perhaps it should also be noted the importance of Barret Strong; he released Motown's first hit, #2 on the BillboradR&B chart, "Money (That's What I Want") - released on Anna Records.
The first white singer to record on the Motown label was Bobbie Smith, a member of the vocal group The Spinners. They recorded for Motown in the early 1960s before the label became widely known for its predominantly African American artists. However, the first white solo artist to sign with Motown was actually Johnny Bristol in the late 1960s. Motown's focus was primarily on its Black artists and the unique sound of the label.
As a solo artist, Motown was michaels first listed label. Source official price guide to records 15th edition.